Orange Confidential: Diana defends his proposal for school security grants

Sunday

Feb 3, 2013 at 2:00 AM

Orange County Executive Ed Diana defended his proposal to fund school-security improvements, in a statement released Thursday night after county lawmakers from both parties ripped and tabled his $1.2 million plan for being too hastily developed.

Orange County Executive Ed Diana defended his proposal to fund school-security improvements, in a statement released Thursday night after county lawmakers from both parties ripped and tabled his $1.2 million plan for being too hastily developed.

"I am disappointed that instead of putting the safety of our children first, certain members of the Legislature chose to hijack the process by personalizing and politicizing the issue for their own personal agenda," Diana's statement read.

"When it comes to the safety of our community, especially our children and grandchildren, there is no place in the legislative process for partisanship. This is a non-partisan issue and I urge all members of the Legislature to recognize it as such and move quickly to approve the funding in order to protect the future of our County."

Diana has proposed creating a six-member panel, led by Deputy County Executive James O'Donnell, to distribute $1.2 million over three years to public school districts and parochial schools in Orange County to spend on security measures of their choosing.

At a Ways and Means Committee meeting Wednesday, lawmakers protested what they called the lack of detail in his plans and the makeup of the grant panel, demanding the idea undergo further scrutiny.

Chris McKenna

Chester Supervisor Steve Neuhaus and Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton each won endorsements from town Republican committees last week as they and Orange County Executive Ed Diana continue making the rounds to court GOP support for this year's county executive race.

Neuhaus, who previously was endorsed by Wawayanda Republicans, announced Tuesday that the Tuxedo Republican Committee had unanimously backed him. Three days later, the Minisink Republican Committee declared its endorsement of Sweeton.

The two challengers and Diana appear to be headed for a three-way Republican primary election in September.

The committee endorsements they're seeking have no bearing on which candidates may seek the nomination, but they signal the loyalties of rank-and-file Republicans.

Chris McKenna

Dorothy Ingrassia, who has been the Town of Wallkill's tax receiver since 1986, has retired.

Linda Harahan, the deputy tax receiver, is expected to fill the job until the November elections, when she would have to be elected to the office to remain.

Two of Ingrassia's kids, Lou and Louisa Ingrassia, are the town's public works commissioner and clerk, respectively. Her husband, Lou Ingrassia Sr., who died in 2007, also had a long career of public service.

Nathan Brown

Deerpark Supervisor Karl Brabenec didn't waste much time in throwing his support behind his friend and Deerpark councilman, David Hoovler, to be the next Orange County district attorney.

After 28 years, Orange County's top prosecutor, Frank Phillips, said Tuesday he wouldn't seek re-election.

By Thursday, Brabenec sent out an email calling on friends and colleagues to support Hoovler, who said he'll seek the Republican endorsement.

"He has done great things for the citizens of Deerpark and has the legal and municipal knowledge and experience to be an effective top prosecutor for the residents of Orange County," said Brabenec.

Brabenec is up for re-election himself this year.

As for Phillips, he said Tuesday that he has no immediate plans as to what he'll be doing once he leaves public service.

When former longtime Ulster County District Attorney Michael Kavanagh stepped down in 1998, he went on to become a state Supreme Court Justice — though his passion, he said, was being a prosecutor.)

Phillips, at least for now, didn't seem too interested in the black robes.

"If Kavanagh hadn't left he'd still be the DA," said Phillips. "I never saw the attraction of leaving DA to become a judge."